 Guangxi is the only autonomous region of China that is bordered by land, sea and river. This privileged geographic location has given Guangxi a pivotal role in the economic development of western China and especially that of the southwest. Guangxi has become a base and port for the opening up of southwest China to southeast Asia and the world.
In about 200 BC, Guangxi was the biggest seaport of China, serving as a trade channel with the Roman Empire. In 1368 Guangxi’s position as the main trade center was rivaled by Guangdong province, so it began to go into economic decline.
 When the Western China Development Project began a few years ago, Guangxi province was not initially included. However, given its geographic location and the province’s lack of development, there was significant reason to include Guangxi in the development project. Guangxi’s people are very proud of their province and its ideal geographic position, with the region having the most convenient ocean access in southwest China. The coastline of Guangxi runs for 1,595 kilometers, along which there are numerous seaports. At present there are 21 operational ports, the largest ones being Fangcheng, Beihai and Qinzhou. All the ports in Guangxi are well positioned. They have deep water, are protected from the wind and waves and are close to Hong Kong and other southeast Asian countries.
 Guangxi is bordered by mountains that are more than 1,000 meters high and has many hills and basins. The province has a sub－tropical climate, with the average temperature ranging between 17 and 22 degrees. This warm climate of Guangxi has resulted in a very rich ecological environment, with many species of plants and flowers.
Just like Guangxi’s climate, which has no clear distinction of the four seasons, Guangxi’s people rarely show emotional extremes, living a placid and peaceful life. Guangxi has 12 ethnic groups, including Zhuang, Han, Yao, Miao and Yi. The mountainous geographic environment has influenced Guangxi’s people into having a honest, simple and carefree temperament.
The province’s history is one of cultural diversity with many nationalities co－existing and merging. Here there are 12 indigenous nationalities and other 25 minority groups that have immigrated to the region. These minority nationalities account for 37 percent of Guangxi’s 47 million strong population. The Zhuang nationality is the biggest minority ethnic group in the whole of China, with a population of 15 million people.
 Guangxi’s geographic location has a very strong influence on its culture. The eleven minority groups that live in the province have long interacted, but still maintain their individual customs and identity, with distinctive clothes, food, housing and festivals. The four defining symbols of the Guangxi culture are the Zhuang nationality’s songs, the Yao’s dances, the Miao’s festivals and Dong nationality’s architecture.
The Zhuang nationality are very good at singing and entertainment, with young boys and girls often singing love songs to each other or taking part in impromptu singing competitions. The Yao nationality excel at dancing with their melody, costume, and choreography, which are all very unique. The Dong nationality believe that through developing outstanding architecture, like bridges, roads and buildings, their virtuous behavior will positively influence their afterlife. One particular type of bridge called the “wind and rain bridge” is made entirely from wood without the use of a single nail.
In recent years an international folk song festival has been held in Nanning, and has attracted tens of thousands of tourists, with many of the folk singers travelling from abroad to enjoy the music and festivities.
 It has been said for hundreds of years that “Guilin’s scenery is the best in the world”, and certainly tourists that visit the region today would agree with this statement.
While Guangxi has definitely benefited from the beautiful surrounding mountains, with a booming tourism industry, there have also been negative effects with the mountains restricting growth.
No large－scale migration or merging of nationalities has ever occurred in Guangxi. With the province's rugged mountains, Guangxi’s people were unable to easily move around as the nomadic tribes in the grasslands of north China did. Therefore Guangxi never rapidly developed, with many people sticking to their local villages for generations, most could never imagine becoming rich through trade and modernization.
Guangxi’s people have always had a definite regional character, that of contentment. However Guangxi’s harsh ecological environment with many rocky mountains has made it difficult for some people to earn a living off their unfertile land.
 People here often have a challenging and difficult life. In 1984 Guangxi’s poverty reached a peak, with 15 million people living under the poverty line. Even though this number fell to 1.69 million in 1999, Guangxi still remains one of the poorest provinces in China. The mountainous geographic environment has led many farmers to accept a limited definition of trade. Even faced with these challenges some people are using their initiative to improve their lives, some even opening up their own businesses.
West Street, the oldest street in Yangshuo county, was built more than 1,400 years ago and is now a famous tourist attraction. The street is 570 meters long and passes many beautiful hills and rivers. It is also known by the locals as “Foreigner Street” because a large number of foreigners often come here to sight－see or just relax and enjoy themselves. Many bars, net－cafes, western food restaurants and hotels have now sprung up along the street.
Lu Bing, a farmer, is twenty－seven years old. She left school at the age of fifteen and taught herself English for seven years to become an English－speaking tourist guide. In Yangshuo today there are over 100 tourist guides like Lu Bing.
The bell that tolled in the new century went unnoticed. And as the fireworks exploded over Guilin’s sky, it seemed the hope of Guangxi’s people rose with them. The government has developed a new series of targets for this century. By the end of 2010, they hope to increase the economic strength of Guangxi to be one of the leading economic regions of the west. Another aim is to double the province’s GDP, by focusing on the construction of an economic zone, based on port and high－tech industries, in Nanning and Beihai. The government also plans to build an industrial center in Liuzhou, and encourage the growth of tourism agriculture and forestry in Guilin. Guangxi province has a long way of development to travel over this century. Let’s hear what the experts and officials feel about the future of this province.
 “Guangxi has achieved a lot during the past twenty years. It helped 15 million people get out of poverty. But, there are still some serious problems. First, seaports are not used efficiently, and the economy in the port area can’t develop. Readjusting industrial structure is also important. Also, there’s no close connection between Guangxi and the Zhujiang River Delta, so Guangxi lacks a foundation for development,” said Xu Guodi, the researcher of Regional Economy Institute, State Planning.
Li Zhaozhuo, Chairman of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, said: “We aim to improve both the quantity and the quality of Guangxi’s economy through the Western China Development Project, and make its economy more efficient. Meanwhile, Guangxi’s ecology and environment should be well protected. Guang Xi will be built into a comfortable and safe place to live, relax and visit.”
 Compared with the cities along China’s east coast, Guangxi is not in a fortunate position. It is underdeveloped, with weak industries, a lack of information and many poor people. However since the 1980’s, the Province has undergone extensive reform and opening up, and the Western China Development Project will further strengthen the economy.
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